So I'll start by saying that I am quite terrible at reviewing my work...so I went over a few chapters that I knew would have typos. Ugh I hate that. So that's why this took so long. I haven't edited it yet, but I will when I get around to it. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy!

Someone was watching me.

Sleep had taken me quite quickly last night. Mostly because I had spent my entire day in my room...so by the end of the day, I was so bored that I fell asleep early in the afternoon. When I began to hear to early morning birds from my balcony, I stirred enough to realize that there was a presence within the confines of my room. My door had been locked for two days...so for someone to get in...it made me very uncomfortable and on edge.

I didn't move as I became aware. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to be in a deep slumber. Letting out a fake snore, I turned quite suddenly and let my hand fall off the side of the bed, opposite of where I felt the energy. Continuing to pretend as though I was asleep,my fingers reached for anything I could use as a weapon.

It felt like forever before I found something hard. Perfect. I could throw it at whoever it was and hopefully it would stun them long enough for me to run out the door...or find a weapon.

A ruffle of clothing had me reacting quickly. I sat up in a rush of adrenaline and flung, what was apparently my boot, at a figure sitting in a chair next to my balcony doors.

The moment I chucked the boot, I felt like a right git. It whizzed passed the blonde head of Galadriel. Her mouth was upturned in an amused smirk at my pitiful attempt to fight off any would-be transgressor.

Her hair only floated back to its graceful place on her shoulder. I looked at her bewildered. What the hell?

"Do you make it a point to frighten people just as they wake? It's rather rude." I crossed my arms in front of my chest, trying to puff up at my sudden irritation.

She dismissively waved her hand and stood slowly. Galadriel walked around the bed to look down at me.

"You have been held up in your room for a solid two days. Elrond has become most worried." Her warm smile held much more than just a kind gesture.

"So you came to push me back into the world, eh? Is that why he sent you?" I leaned my back against the birch backboard. The swirled design pressed awkwardly into my skin as I frowned at The Lady of Light.

"It is not for him that I come, but for you. You are troubled. Haunted by your nightmares."

Damn. She knew. Of course she did...how she always seemed to dig into my mind was quite annoying. Had I retained the powers I had when I was Emi, I would have been able to keep her out...but now.

"You will in time. You are still Emi, after all."

"Will you stop that! Aule, I can't even think around you!" I grabbed a pillow and pushed my head into it to hide the flustered appearance that I knew she had already seen.

"Do not act like a child. You have been nothing, but trouble for everyone since you've arrived."

Her sudden change in tone made me look up from the pillow. Did I really anger her this much for her to chide me like some spoiled child?

"Oi, that was unnecessary!"

She gave me a smirk and looked toward the balcony as she paced back toward the chair she had once sat at.

"I believe it was more than necessary. You have been avoiding every one like a plague." Galadriel looked back to me with concern. "I know of the dreams...and of the young dwarf."

Of course...once again she knew all. I rolled my eyes with a heavy sigh. Well I can't keep it from her..

"More like nightmares..."

She nodded at my correction. It was true, after all. Ever since the 'Fili incident', I have been visited by Sauron every night. Always taunting me with promises of destroying all that I know and forcing me to watch those I care for die. They seem like they are only dreams...but the night before...well...

"Why do you fight me...when you know it is inevitable." The whisper in my ear made me shudder with disgust.

Sauron had me in the dark again. My hands were bound above my head with thick chains that seemed to be attached to nothing. Dozens of black, clawed hands came out from behind me, touching and groping me as though I belonged to each one of them.

My cries of pain and terror were unheard. No one would be able to help me...no one.

A hot tongue slid against my cheek. The breath that followed was that of decay and death. It tickled my skin, threatening to break down the flesh that held me together. With a whimper I turned my face away from the tongue, only for another to find my mouth and force it open.

My scream was muffled by a mouth covering my own. I tried to fight off my attacker, which I knew was Sauron, but with my hands tied, there was nothing I could do.

Finally the monster pulled away from me. I whipped my head to the side and spit out any saliva that we shared into the dark. My anger seared through my veins and as I looked up to scream at him...it was not who I had expected.

It was Fili. Another mind trick.

The fake Fili smirked evilly at me, his braided mustache lifting with his mouth. His white teeth seemed too fake to be him. Even the too blue eyes gave it away...but still...the face alone made me freeze.

"What's the matter, lass?" He moved closer, his face only inches from my own. The voice was identical to Fili's. The hushed, seductive tone mirrored how he had spoke to me when we were in the hall together.

His lips brushed against my own as his hands grasped my hips with force. "Wasn't it as good for you as it was for me?"

The whimper that escaped my lips brought a grin on his face. The close proximity brought the same decay smell from the mouth of what looked like Fili.

"Care for another go?" Without letting me respond, his mouth was on mine again.

I fought to regain control. There was nothing stopping him from molesting my very soul. Sauron was winning...

Every night it was becoming the same. He would do whatever he pleased and I had no way to stop it. No way to get away...but tonight would be different. I heard a voice. One that I knew was not Sauron.

"Do not let him guide you into darkness, Emi. He has no power over you." It was Aule. My father.

His voice brought me out of my captive state. His words were spoke truth...I was the child of the Valar. Sauron was just a bully trying to push his power onto others. He was nothing. Anger swelled up inside my soul, fueling a new sense of empowerment. The lips and hands that were assaulting my body froze as though he felt something happening.

My eyes widened as something within me snapped. My hands broke free from their bonds, a bright white light pushing away the darkness that held me in place.

Sauron shifted suddenly, feeling the power that had come from me. He still had a grip on my body, but when I was able to push him away, he managed to drag his armored hand against my arm, bringing blood to the surface.

"You will no longer control me! Leave me be, you monster! I will not bend to your whim!" I shouted at him as his body was driven farther and farther from my dream.

I had slept peacefully for the remainder of the night...but when I awoke, there were long wounds on my arm. To say it freaked me the hell out was an understatement. He was becoming stronger. Especially if he was able to physically harm me without being in my presence.

"You are stronger than that..." The angelic voice of Galadriel pulled me out of my thoughts.

A quick glance at her told me she knew what I had been thinking about. I sighed and pulled the blanket from my body, throwing it to the side. My feet touched the cold floor and in one motion I grabbed my silky robe, tying it tightly around my waist.

"I know. I know I can fight him off...I just..." I trailed off in thought once again. I was unsure what I was supposed to do. Fight Sauron...or stay on my path with the dwarves. Perhaps I should just stay in Imladris. Safe and away from any danger.

"We both know how silly that sounds." She gave me a sad, pity filled smile and walked toward me. "The daughter of the Aule and Yavanna hiding away to keep out of danger...the strong Emi, who fought against Sauron when he threatened to destroy Arda...who died defying him...held up in an elvish home."

….Boy was she good at making me feel like an arse.

"Well, when you say it like that.." Her smile only widened when I admitted how feeble that sounded.

"Your destiny has been placed before you. Do not be afraid to do what is right in your heart."

My eyes shot to her own sea blue orbs. She was right. There was no denying that. I had a reason for being here, one that was more important than taking revenge on Sauron for killing me or for taking out all my frustration on everyone around me.

"If I fail?"

"You only fail when you have not tried."

I rolled my eyes. "And if I fail after I've tried?"

"You are almost as stubborn as the dwarves you surround yourself with." The blonde she-elf said with a smirk.

"You'll remember that I was born before dwarves, and more importantly before you...show your elders some respect. And I am far more stubborn than any dwarf."

"That would explain why you find them to be much better company. From what I've heard-"

I waved my hand at her dismissively, letting her know I did not want to hear anything about Fili, and turned to a chair near my bed. There was a light blue dress placed on it for me to wear. I picked it up and draped it over my arm.

"Remember, you were given a second chance...do not waste it." Her voice echoed in my head.

I turned to respond, but she was long gone. All that was present was the subtle rustling of my white curtains floating against the morning breeze and the soft singing of the birds just outside.

"That never ceases to creep me out..." I shivered and began to dress for the morning.

It was time for me to stop being so distant from everyone. I had been brought back here for a reason. What is what exactly, I was still unsure, but I still had to make do with what time I had. If I left the plains of Arda once again, it would most likely be my last time in physical form.

Traveling down the corridors of Imladris was an event in itself. I was bowed to by every elf I came across. Seriously, they were around every corner I turned. The elves were moving about far too early in the morning for my liking...but that was only because elves never slept...which was so strange, even to someone who has been around before the time of elves. God, that was even strange to say. I was alive before elves...before Aule secretly created the dwarves.

That was just...Outstanding! I certainly felt like I was filled with knowledge far beyond what I remembered being just Emma Hughes. If I was back in the future, they would think I was mental.

My dress skirted along the floor as I hurried to breakfast. I hoped that the company was there. I had not seen them in a few days and I was sure they thought I was avoiding them on purpose, which I was. Bilbo would more than likely be there. I did miss his company. I just wanted to see everyone's face.

Even Fili's.

I knew what had happened was not his fault. So why blame the guy? Plus I wanted to see the black eye Kili had given him. I'm sure it was a sight to see.

I snickered at the thought.

The smile on my face made me feel like a new person. Not to mention I had bathed just the night before. With my hair clean I had put it up into a loose updo, pulling my hair out of my face and letting some of it fall out in lazy curls. The moment I saw it in the mirror, I was immediately giddy. I was starting to look like a normal woman instead of a sickly, worn out homeless person. Color was in my face, my hair was actually cooperating, and the dress made me feel like a princess.

Everything was falling back into a nice place...Talking with Galadriel seemed to help greatly.

As I rounded a pillar, I saw the hall was just up ahead. The doors were closed, but there were two guardsmen standing just outside. They saw me and bowed, placing their right hands upon their chests.

This time, instead of just ignoring them, I stopped and gave them a curt nod accompanied by the finest smile I could muster. The two male elves smiled, almost triumphantly. One quickly jumped into action when he noticed I was waiting for one of them to open the door they were so diligently guarding. He politely pushed the doors to the hall and beckoned for me to enter.

The moment I walked into the hall I could hear the sounds of laughter fill the room. It was like music to my ear.

There was still a corner I would need to go around before they would all come into view, but I was already happy just hearing them. I took in a deep breath and picked up my skirt so I could move quickly. It took me exactly 6 steps to finally see them. Once I had rounded the corner, they were all there. Sitting at a long table were all 13 dwarves, and Bilbo, eating their fill.

On the fair side of the room was Gandalf and Elrond speaking to each other privately. The conversation stopped when Elrond immediately took notice of me.

"Emma!" He called out from across the room, a smile plastered across his features in excitement. I was so relieved that he had agreed to call me Emma, so not to confuse the dwarves further...or give away who I really was.

Elrond removed himself from the table he sat at with Gandalf and made his way over to me. His long bronze robe whipped behind him in his rush to get to me. The moment he arrived in front of me, he pulled me into his arms. The embrace caught me off guard, but I understood how worried he must have been.

I gave into it immediately and let him hold me for as long as he wished. My face was pushed into his chest and his hands held my head where in place. I heard a sigh of content against the top of my head. His comfort in the moment made me relax instantly and I smiled into his chest. We had been friends for a long time, and even though I could not remember most of our friendship, I did know that it was a bond brought on by centuries of companionship.

It seemed like hours before he released me. Elrond smiled warmly at me and let his hands slide down my arms, stopping to gently caress my much smaller hands.

"I am glad you are well." Elrond said softly in elvish. It was so strange, because I understood him right away.

Did I know how to speak the delicate language of the elves? Please say yes! I cleared my throat and opened my mouth to speak...it was so simple.

"As am I. Thank you for letting me wallow in my sorrows...and for sending Galadriel to pull me out of it." The words came out so easily. It clicked immediately that I knew the language very well.

The words didn't phase Elrond. He must have known I could speak the language.

"I assure you, it was a last resort." His smirk told me otherwise. He did it because he knew she would talk some sense into me quicker than letting me figure it out on my own.

I gave a bashful smile and pulled my hands slowly from his own.

"Liar." Was all I needed to say.

It was just like how it used to be. This was something familiar to me...and once again I was at ease. Elrond continued to stare down at me with the most loving of eyes. A smile was plastered across his face like he was the happiest elf in the world. He cared for me, greatly...I could see it quite easily. As I'm sure everyone else did as well.

After a small pause, one that became increasingly awkward for me, he put a hand on the small of my back and turned to lead me further into the hall.

I began to walk with him and my eyes darted up to the table filled with dwarves. My stomach dropped at how they were looking at me. I forgot how much they hated elves...and here I was chatting with one using the very language they associated with the taller, more fair race.

But what had really twinged my nerves was the look I was getting from Fili. It was certainly an accident that my eyes found him as I scanned the table. His eyes had been glaring at Lord Elrond next to me. It was only when my eyes landed on him that he looked away from the elf to hold my gaze. His blue orbs pierced my very soul...speaking words to me that could never be said out loud. What these words were exactly, I had no idea. All I knew was I never felt more exposed than I did right at that moment. Not even when I was half naked and almost surrendering myself to him in a small hallway.

Ugh stop remembering that!

I blushed under his heavy stare. Fili was a dwarf that I never wanted to be alone with again...for obvious reasons. I was unsure what would occur if that happened. He must have noticed the way I heated up because he mimicked how I must have looked. His blush caused him to look away, but the frown on his face told me he was more than jealous about how Elrond was treating me.

"Come. Sit and dine with me." Elrond reverted back to Westron. The direction we were heading was to the table Gandalf was sitting at.

His voice pulled me back to reality. I looked at him with sudden ease, acting as though nothing had occurred between Fili and myself. I placed a gentle hand on his arm, stopping him, and smiled up to the dark haired elf sweetly. I didn't come here to eat alone with Elrond and Gandalf...I needed to bond with the company I had agreed to help. I had all the time in the world to catch up with him (if I made it out of this alive that is..), but the dwarves were who needed my attention right now.

Elrond looked down at me, knitting his eyebrows together in confusion.

"Actually," I began with a sweet voice, hoping it would make the rejection less of an insult. "I would like to eat with the companions I arrived with."

He glanced to the dwarves I gestured to, most of whom had been watching the entire time. Elrond seemed to understand what I was asking of him and nodded with a slight smirk. His eyes landed back to me.

"Of course." He continued to gaze upon my face until he let out a sigh. "In any case, I have some business to attend to."

Leaning down to my level, he placed a small kiss on the side of my head before pulling back and heading out of the room gracefully. But not before adding one last comment.

"Behave yourself." The elvish warning was of concern and amusement all at the same time.

I watched him leave and continued to look over my shoulder until I heard his footsteps walk out the door and the clicking of the door being closed behind him.

With a sigh I turned back nervously to the company. And let me tell you...it's pretty damn intimidating when 13 grumpy looking dwarves are staring you down. I wont even go into the silence. I wish I had a pin to drop.

They stared down at me with uncertainty. I went through their faces once again. It was like I was now the enemy...Consorting with an elf was apparently a big no-no. Something I should have remembered, but I was so caught up in my own problems that I completely forgot about their own.

It was while I was going through their faces again that I once more placed myself in the gaze of Fili. He was no longer blushing at our eye contact, instead he had another heavy frown on his face. He had a goblet in his hand that he was struggling to not throw across the room or crush in his grip. I only figured that was the problem, because it was trembling in his large hands. The white of his knuckles indicated how tense the situation was becoming.

Realizing that I noticed his turmoil, he looked away lazily, pretending that he didn't care. He brought the cup to his lips and drank from it. An arm nudged him rudely. Said arm belonged to Kili, who I was more than glad to see. He had got Fili's attention and spoke quietly to him, making his brother sigh and set the goblet down. Then Kili, bless his heart, turned to me with a smile. One that I had missed greatly. I gave a smile back. It gave me enough courage to break the silence.

"Well, the good news is none of you are naked this time." Humor was a weapon I would use to defer any awkward that was present in the air.

Thankfully, it seemed to work. Kili let out a startled laugh that had some of the more laid back dwarves giving a chuckle at the memory.

"Aye, lass. Though it's a shame you didn't join us!" Bofur was the one to speak first, earning him a tsk from Dori sitting next to him.

"And surround myself with a bunch of hairy dwarves? I want to clean myself, not become covered in all the hair you would shed."

It was working. Laughter was always the best medicine. Even the dwarves stubborn enough to ignore the first jest had smiles on their faces.

"Best get used to it, lass!" Gloin spoke with a chuckle. His words brought small shouts of agreement from others around him.

The only one I did not have convinced as of yet was Thorin, who still looked at me wearily. I understood his worry. He did not trust elves, and how could you blame him? They had caused him the greatest of betrayals by not helping him when Smaug attacked Erebor.

The laughter stopped slowly and Balin, thankfully, scooted over, leaving space between Bilbo and himself.

"Come, lassie. Have a seat and join us."

I smiled at the dwarf and picked my dress up so I would not step on the hem. With care I was able to fit the dress, and myself, between the dwarf and hobbit.

"Thank you Balin. Now then.." I looked around at the table of food set before me. "If someone could fill a plate with as much food as physically possible, I would be forever in your debt."

I didn't have to wait. Though some of the other dwarves moved to grab an empty plate for me, it was Bilbo who had already set a filled plate before me. Obviously a form of apology for the other day.

I glanced at the plate then to Bilbo with a warm smile. The nod I gave him was received with a smile of his own.

"Thank you Mr. Baggins..." I leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

The hobbit gave me a shy smile before turning back to his plate and picking at his food. Once the table had been settle back into its former, I began to eat what I had. It was not much, considering what the dwarves normally ate. A lot of greens and little protein, but knowing elvish substance was made to fill and energize, I had little to complain about.

"How are your wounds holding up, lass?" Ori said from down the table.

I blinked and swallowed the food I had in my mouth. Quickly wiping my mouth with a linen, I was able to give the older dwarf a kind smile.

"Quite well, Master dwarf."

"Would you like me to change the bandaging for ya?" It was obvious he wanted to have a look at the work the elves did...and most likely replace it with his own. Fortunately, as I found out, I healed very quickly. Galadriel had been right when I first awoke in my room days ago. Whatever powers I did have would slowly return in time. Healing quickly was apparently one of those.

"I would have liked that very much, Ori, but I'm afraid I took the bandages off two nights ago."

Ori seemed concerned at that point. "Have a care for your wounds, lass. You'll reopen them!"

"Aye, you should have Ori take a look before you damage yourself more." Gloin added as he pointed a fork of cheese at me before he plopped it into his mouth.

"I can not reopen what is already closed, my friend." The surprise at the table was only audible by a few utensils dropped on plates.

"How is that possible?..." I heard Dori speak quietly to his brother Nori.

Oh. Maybe I should have lied...

"And you can speak elvish?" Thorin's accusing voice had everyone glancing between his opposing form and my uncomfortable one.

Thorin must have thought I was of elvish make...for me to be so comfortable with them...perhaps even half elf. By the look in his eyes, I was now under heavy scrutiny. My short stature meant little to him. I had no beard, my hands were not large, I was not as stocky as other dwarvish women, I claimed to be a seer, and I spoke elvish (a much greater offense, apparently).

I gave him a kind smile. Let's hope my girlish charm could pull me out of this...

"I assure you, My Lord, we share the same Maker. You have little to worry." It certainly wasn't a lie. Aule created dwarves and procreated to produce me...

"How is it that you come to speak elvish?" Ori asked from across the table.

I liked Ori much more than most of the dwarves. He was a curious one. Always wanted to learn more and kept to himself most of the time. It was his brothers that kept him from becoming what he surely would love to be.

Leaning forward, I folded my arms across my chest and placed them on the table. "Would you like to learn?"

His face brightened up immediately, but when Dori nudged him in the side, he shook his head. I gave a smirk and leaned back.

"I know many languages, Ori. It is required when you must communicate with many races of beings."

This seemed to get his interest again. "How many languages do you know?"

That was a very good question...

"Yes, how many?" Bilbo chirped in, now as curious as Ori.

Few at the table looked interested, but by the side glances they gave as they ate, I knew they were just as fascinated.

"Um...well.." I started to count with my fingers, trying to figure out what I could remember. "Sindarin, Quenya,...oh, Quendya and all dialects of Ilkorin. Let's see...Eldarin..."

"What languages are those?" Kili, who finally spoke to me, asked.

"Hm? Oh it's all elvish, I believe." Apparently that disappointed him.

Salvage the situation!

"But I also know Entish!"

"You know the language of the Ents?" Ori asked wide eyed.

"Of course she would. The elves taught the Ents how to speak." Thorin said bitterly. So far he was not impressed.

My nerves were wearing thin with this King. "I can speak and understand Khuzdul very well."

"Who taught you? You are not a dwarf..."

Thorin, I swear to Aule...

"My father taught me." I said through clenched teeth.

"So your father was a dwarf?" Thorin seemed to lighten up, but only slightly, at the notion that I could be a dwarf regardless of his thoughts.

I was about to say 'Hell no! My father is your fucking Maker! Shove that up you arse!' But unfortunately, Gandalf coughed excessively behind us. It was a reminder that I should probably just shut the fuck up...or play along.

"Yes, he was a dwarf."

"Do we know this dwarf?" Gloin asked.

"Do you know any more languages?" Bilbo and Ori seemed to ask at the same time.

I looked between Bilbo and Ori"Yes, I know some Orkish dialects and Valarin." Then quickly turned to Gloin. "And no, you do not know my father."

"Why not? We are familiar with most families. Did he do something to bring dishonor that would make him unknown?" Thorin asked.

"Did you say Valarin?" It was Balin. His question was low and whispered...but I heard it.

I ignored Thorin and looked straight at Balin. His eyes were wide and his mouth was agape. What had I said? Valarin?...Why would that...

Realizing what I had just said, my eyes widened with fear. I had just told the table that I spoke Valarin. The language of the Valar. It seemed that Balin was the only one to actually catch what I said...so now he came to a conclusion that had him as shocked as I was.

My eyes quickly darted behind me to Gandalf, who could do nothing to help me...because I had said it and he knew that Balin was one of the few dwarves who would understand what that meant.

Think of something! Quick!

"Moon runes!" I shouted as I swirled my head back to the table.

"What?" Nori looked at me like I was crazy.

"Moon runes...the map needs to be read by the moonlight."

THAT got everyone's undivided attention. It was a really stupid idea, but I knew it would be the only thing to divert this conversation.

"How do you know this?" Thorin stood from his seat and walked over to me slowly. He seemed angry.

"Um.." Man, was he scary...

"Have you known of this all along?" Thorin's fist clenched. He was becoming increasingly angry throughout this quest. Or perhaps it was just because we were trapped in this elf-home that had him all cranky.

"Uncle, she is a seer remember?" I looked to the other end of the table where Fili and Kili were sitting. Fili was standing, his eyes sternly placed on his uncle as though he was about to jump over the table to defend me if Thorin even attempted to lay a hand on me...again.

"Thorin he is right. I just had a quick vision of it being put under the moonlight..."

The King eyed me before he relaxed his body, probably remembering the last time I said something that upset him and what occurred when he acted too rash.

"Moon runes...of course!" Saved by Gandalf. The tall wizard stood from his seat and came over to us with a grin. "I should have known."

The excitement that came from Gandalf made Thorin smile. Once again I was proving to be most useful to him. The dwarf turned to me and nodded. What it meant, I had no idea, but I nodded back and sighed when Gandalf beckoned him to walk with him so they may discuss it.

When I turned back to the table, Balin was staring at me. He knew what he had heard. I tried not to look so nervous, but my eyes gave away my fear because he smiled and placed a gentle hand on my arm, reassuring me that I would be okay.

He slowly got up and followed after Thorin and Gandalf. I let out a sigh of relief, pushing a few loose strands of hair out of my face. When I looked up I caught the sight of Fili looking at me. Well he just saved me from getting another beating...I should at least thank him..

It seemed that the leave of their King meant that breakfast was over. The moment I thought about thanking Fili, the rest of the dwarves began to get up and head out for a day of...well I had no idea what they did here during the day.

Bilbo still sat next to me, not wanting to leave my side as I had just rejoin the plain of the living by coming out of my room.

"Could you teach me some elvish words Miss Emma?" Ori asked enthusiastically across the table.

I would have answered with a solid 'Of couse!', but Dori grabbed Ori roughly around his arm and pulled him from the table.

"Come on, Ori. We need to make sure you're ready for a good fight." Dori said, knowing that Ori would follow for the good of his family name.

I felt bad for Ori. Most dwarves were warriors. It was in their blood...but poor Ori. He just wanted to be a scholar. He wanted to learn.

I pitied him.

"Maybe some other time Ori..." I gave him a sad smile.

Ori nodded and gave a small wave before he head out with the rest of the dwarves. It was for the best. They would need the practice, for there were much greater battles ahead of them.

"Emma, would you like to explore a bit with me?" Bilbo's voice brought me out of thought.

I turned to him with a smirk. "Explore? How about if I show you around."

"You know this place that well? You've been held up in that room for days! How is that possible?"

Letting out a giggle I got up from my seat and began to head for the door. "Just follow me, Mr. Baggins and you will see!"

It may have been a difficult morning, but I knew the rest of my day would be filled with happy memories of this place that I could share with Bilbo. He was more than willing to stay by my side while I told stories of all the artwork we saw.

Little did he know that I was there for most of them...

THIRD PERSON

"You did the right thing, brother." Kili said to Fili, who was looking a little worse for ware.

The black eye was still an accessory that he would be wearing for a long time. It suited the blonde dwarf ill. Fili had never had a mark like that in his life, but when he showed up telling Kili what had transpired, the younger Durin brother threw the punch without even letting his older sibling finish explaining himself.

Kili felt bad that he had done something so impulsive. The brothers had never fought like that during their entire lifespan together. Sure, a few spats now and then, but full on physical...it was unheard of.

It was a good thing Bilbo had been present when Fili told him. The little hobbit wanted some pointers on how to use the small sword he had acquired. They were in the middle of a rather pathetic spar when Fili showed up upset and sweating.

Now he would be forced to endure the bruise, reminding him of what had happened between Emma and himself a little longer...

Fili let out a sigh so heavy it made his shoulders drop. "I had to do something. Thorin would have surely tore her apart."

"He wouldn't have...at least that's what I believe." Kili assured his brother. They were heading back from the courtyard where they had been training. The elves were kind enough to give them a space to spar in, knowing that the stubborn dwarves would not sit still in a place like this.

"Do you think she forgives me?" Fili was so concerned about Emma.

He had barely slept the past couple nights. Kili would wake up in the late hours of the night and see his older, usually more stable brother, pacing the the corridor just outside the camp they set up within the walls of the elvish home.

Fili really did care for Emma, but it was like he was obsessed. Something was off about it. He just couldn't figure it out. Normally they were in sync enough to figure out what the other way going to say or able to finish each others sentences...but now it was like he was a ticking time bomb.

"Brother.." Kili put his hand on his brothers shoulder, stopping him. "You can not let this bring you down. Be patient...she's a lass. They need time. You, of all dwarves, should know that."

Fili pushed Kili's hand from his shoulder with a frown. "She's not just a lass. She's not like any lass I've ever met."

Kili was dumbstruck by the way Fili was behaving. "I know that. Emma is special...to all of us. I love her just as much as you d- oomph!"

His older brother slammed him against the wall with so much force it knocked the wind right out of him. His head had knocked against the wall and for a moment, Kili thought this wasn't real.

Fili was holding a sword against his throat, threatening to penetrate his skin. When he realized this was actually happening, he looked up into Fili's eyes and thought he saw red in the normal blue hue.

"Do not ever say you love her as I do..You do not know..." Bringing his voice to a low whisper, Fili's tone was dark. It startled his younger brother. He had never heard Fili speak like this.

"What is that matter with you?" It was the only thing he could get out before Fili's sword pushed harder against his throat, but just as soon as he did that it was taken away.

Fili looked confused as he lowered the sword, eventually letting it go to the floor with a loud clash of iron on marble. He looked at his hands as though they were not his own.

"I-I am sorry...I don't know what came over me..."

Kili watched the turmoil in his features. His brother must have very strong feelings for her if he was acting like this...but the anger behind his frustration was causing Fili to lash out impulsively. The dark haired brother straightened his shirt, glancing at Fili wearily.

"There is is nothing to be sorry about. I do not fully understand what is happening, but she is affecting you strangely...perhaps you need some sleep."

What his brother was saying was right. Fili was exhausted. His eyes were heavy with the sleep he had been pushing back and his body screamed for him to regain the energy he had lost being so stressed.

Fili nodded in agreement as Kili leaned down and picked up the sword that was used to threaten his life only moments ago.

"I'll hold onto this..."

Kili walked his brother down the halls as the sun began to set in the horizon. They were about to round a corner when they heard a far too familiar voice speak.

"And this piece depicts the great Besiege of Barad-dur. It was The Last Alliance of Elves and Men...to rid the world of the evil that was Sauron."

Fili and Kili stopped in their tracks. It was Kili who first took a peek behind the corner, Fili, of course, following his lead. They both peered across the hall to where Emma and Bilbo stood by a wall painted with depictions of the fierce battle.

"The Last Alliance of Elves and Men? Were there no dwarves?" Bilbo's question had her giggling.

"Of course there was Bilbo. Fifty thousand dwarves fought along-side elves and men alike. Though by the time the Besiege of Barad-dur took place, there were only around twenty thousand." Emma looked back to the painting that was beautifully painted onto the wall.

She touched the wall lightly, letting her delicate fingers trace the outlines of figures fighting against the dark army. As the sun was falling behind the mountain, the painting was lit up to show every detail.

Emma pulled her arm away from the picture and sighed. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she turned to Bilbo.

"Do you want me to tell you about it?" She asked with a small smile on her lips.

Fili was watching her so intently that he didn't realize his brother had shifted and moved out from behind the wall. It wasn't until Kili spoke that Fili was able to pull his eyes from Emma.

"I'd like to hear about it. It's not every day that we get a history lesson regarding dwarves fighting next to elves instead of against." Kili knew how much Emmas' presence would upset his older brother, but he had not been in her presence like this in some time...and why pass up a good story?

Startled by Kili, Emma swirled around to meet the dark haired dwarf with a gasp. Her hand flew to her chest instantly, then relaxed when she saw it was indeed Kili walking toward her. Fili caught the smile on her face as she realized who it was and watched as she ran to his younger brother, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Kili! Oh how I have missed you!" Kili spun her around in a blur of fabric. Once on her feet she planted a kiss on his cheek. "Where have you been?"

"Teaching my brother how to fight of course!" Kili joked.

Emma blinked at the comment, but when Kili glanced behind his shoulder she noticed Fili was standing in the shadow (his face eerily covered by darkness enough to hide his features), she tensed slightly.

"Brother, do not scare people. Come out from there!" Kili called to Fili with a nervous smile.

"Aye.." Fili stepped into the fading light, putting up a hand to cover the falling sun from his eyes.

Emma watched him cautiously, her eyes casting glances at his face as though she was unsure of what to say or do. Which was spot on. She was very uncertain.

Fili cleared his throat and gave her a curt bow, reverting back to his royal manners. Emma looked at him strangely, as did Kili and Bilbo.

"My Lady...we were just heading to rest for the evening." Fili slowly stood erect and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "But since my brother is in the mood for stories, I will leave him with you. Good evening.."

Fili turned and made a start to walk away, hoping to get out of this uncomfortable situation as soon as possible.

"Do you not wish to hear the story as well?" Emmas' voice was impulsive, but timid. She didn't want Fili to just leave like that...she didn't hate him...she just didn't know how to act around him.

Fili stopped in his tracks. At first he did not turn. Only his voice carried any hint of how he felt. "You...wish for me to stay?" The question was of surprise and hope.

Emma shoved all of her discomfort to the back of her mind and took the careful steps toward Fili to place a hand on his shoulder. The second her hand touched him, he turned to look at her, his eyebrows furrowed together in a form of confusion and wonder.

"Fili, would you like to stay and listen?" Emma asked as sincere as she could. She really wanted him to stay.

The smile Fili gave her was one she had missed dearly. It was the glint of excitement that twinkled behind his sky blue eyes.

"I would like that very much..."

Emma brightened substantially. She nodded in anticipation, grabbed his hand, bringing him to their waiting company.

"Now follow me." She motioned for them to follow along with her as she began to tell the story of the fall of Sauron.

Okay there was another chapter! There will be another up soon, but once again, the more reviews I get, the more I write!